Survivor Benefits
Protecting your family's financial security with death benefits and survivor annuities
Protecting Your Family's Future
ASGERF provides comprehensive survivor benefits to help protect your family's financial security. These benefits include lump-sum death benefits and survivor annuities that provide ongoing income to eligible survivors, ensuring your loved ones have financial support during difficult times.
Lump-Sum Benefits
Immediate financial assistance ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 based on service years
Survivor Annuities
Ongoing monthly income for eligible spouses and dependents
Family Protection
Comprehensive coverage for both active members and retirees
Death Benefits for Active Members
Lump-Sum Death Benefits
When an active ASGERF member dies, survivors receive a lump-sum death benefit that varies based on the member's years of service at the time of death.
| Years of Service | Death Benefit Amount |
|---|---|
| Less than 5 years | $2,500 |
| 5 to 9 years | $3,500 |
| 10 to 14 years | $5,000 |
| 15 to 19 years | $7,500 |
| 20 years or more | $10,000 |
Survivor Annuity Options
If an active member dies after becoming eligible for retirement, the surviving spouse may choose between two options:
Option 1: Contribution Refund
- • Refund of all employee contributions
- • Interest at 5.0% (pre-2014) or 1.5% (post-2014)
- • Compounded annually
- • One-time lump-sum payment
Option 2: Survivor Annuity
- • Monthly life annuity
- • 50% of deceased member's benefit
- • Paid for surviving spouse's lifetime
- • Regular monthly income
Important: This choice is permanent and cannot be changed once selected. Consider consulting with a financial advisor to determine the best option for your situation.
Death Benefits for Retirees
Retiree Death Benefit
Lump-sum payment for retired members
When a retired ASGERF member dies, survivors receive a lump-sum death benefit of $1,500. This benefit helps cover immediate expenses during a difficult time.
Additional Survivor Payments
If the retiree elected a Joint and Survivor Annuity at retirement, the surviving spouse will continue to receive monthly annuity payments for life. The amount depends on the survivor option selected at retirement.
Eligibility and Claims Process
Who Can Receive Benefits?
Primary Beneficiaries
- • Surviving spouse
- • Dependent children under age 18
- • Dependent children under age 23 if full-time students
- • Disabled dependent children (any age)
Secondary Beneficiaries
- • Designated beneficiaries on file
- • Estate (if no other beneficiaries)
Tip: Keep your beneficiary designations current by filing updates with ASGERF when major life events occur.
How to File a Claim
Contact ASGERF Immediately
Notify ASGERF of the member's death as soon as possible
Submit Required Documents
Provide death certificate and required claim forms
Provide Identification
Submit proof of identity and relationship to deceased
Await Processing
ASGERF will process your claim and arrange payment
Important Reminders
Update Beneficiary Information
Regularly review and update your beneficiary designations, especially after marriage, divorce, birth of children, or death of a named beneficiary.
Keep Records Current
Ensure ASGERF has your current address and contact information so survivors can be notified of available benefits and claim procedures.
Time-Sensitive Claims
Some survivor benefits may have filing deadlines. Contact ASGERF immediately after a death to ensure all available benefits are claimed timely.
Questions About Survivor Benefits?
Our compassionate team is here to help you understand survivor benefits and assist with claims processing during difficult times. We're committed to supporting ASGERF families.